Before downing 61 hot dogs in 10 minutes to secure his spot as champion of the annual Coney Island ritual, Mr. Chestnut got down on one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend Neslie Ricasa, herself a competitive eater, according to the Associated Press.

Not every returning champion had as glorious a day. Three-time champ Sonya Thomas lost out to Miki Sudo, who ate 34 frankfurters.